Sashless window



Nov. 26, 1963 H. G. P; GERECKE SASHLESS WINDOW 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 FiledAug. 17, 1961 FIG. I

a @j 2 M m. .Rm /m/ S x ma w m mm m l A wi""" w Nov. 26, 1963 H. G. P.GERECKE sAsHLEss WINDOW s sheets-sheet 2 Filed Aug. 17, 1961 INVENTORHANS G. I? GERECKE.

Nov. 26, 1963 H. G, P. GERECKE 3,111,727

sAsHLEss wINDow INVENTOR HANS G. P. GERECKE ATTORNEYS United StatesPatent O 3,111,727 SASHLESS WINDOW Hans G. P. Gerecke, Dunbar-ton,ntario, Canada, as-

signor to H-G Designs Limited, Pickering, Ontario, Canada Filed Ang. 17,1961, Ser. No. 141,936 4 Claims. (Si. Ztl-52.)

This invention relates to sashless windows, particularly of the typehaving two window panes at least one of which moves horizontallyrelative to the other.

As the name implies a sashless window is one wherein the window panesare supported freely in a window frame without the benet of sash fixedto the edges of the panes. Sashless windows have become increasinglypopular in recent years since they are neat in appearance and admit morelight through any given window opening due to the absence of the sash.However, the sashless arrangement has a tendency to rattle, it isdifficult to lock and to maintain weather tight. There is a furthercommon problem in keeping the two panes spaced from one another so as toavoid abrasive contact between them as the sliding pane is movedrelatively to the iixed pane. This latter problem is related to theproblem of achieving weather tightness since it is difficult to avoidcontact between the panes while still maintaining a seal between themand with the window frame. A further ditliculty of the sashlessarrangement is the tendency of rain water to collect in the grooves ofthe window sills which serve as tracks for the sliding panes.

Not the least of the above mentioned problems is the diiliculty inproviding an adequate locking mechanism for the sliding pane. Experiencehas shown that the majority of the locking devices now available arecompletely inadequate and can usually be dislodged by working thesliding pane back and forth from outside the window.

There are many known sashless window constructions now available almostall of which sulfer from one or more of the above noted disadvantages.The sashless window in accord with the present invention has a number ofnovel features and provides a window construction which is far superiorto those known heretofore.

ln accord with this invention there is provided a base track forsupporting the window panes on the sill of the window frame in such amanner that the panes are spaced from one another as to avoid abrasivecontact therebetween while at the same time the lower edges of thewindow panes are sealed. The base track has two separate track portionsone of which extends the full width of the window frame and accommodatesthe sliding pane. The lower edges of both panes are sealed by means offlexible wiper-like sealing strips which are biased against the windowpanes. The sealing strip working against the sliding pane extends fromthe side edge of the iixed pane to the opposite side of the windowframe. Both sealing strips are removably fixed to the base track bykey-like ridges formed on their bottom edges which engage in keyingslots formed in the upper surface of the base track. Also provided is anovel locking mechanism comprising a first arm xed to the sliding windowpane and having a projection receiving recess or aperture in its freeend, a second arm pivotally attached to the first arm so as to pivot ina plane substantially at right angles to the sliding pane, the secondarm carrying a projection at its free end which is adapted to passthrough a projection receiving element carried by the base track or thesill itself. By pivoting the second arm so as to pass the projectioncarried thereby through the projection receiving element and into therecess or aperture at the free end of the irst arm a positive lock isgained. Further improvements over the known sashless windowconstructions are gained by ICC the provision of a seal at the top ofthe window panes, novel groove liners in the vertical jambs and a novelmeans of draining moisture collected on the base track to the outside ofthe Window.

Further advantages of the window construction in accord with thisinvention will be appreciated from the following description of anembodiment thereof as read with reference to the accompanying drawings.

ln the drawings:

FIG. l is a front elevation view of a sashless window in accord withthis invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective View taken at 2*-2 of FIG. l and illustrates thelocking mechanism, the base track and the drainage system in accord withthis invention.

FIG. 2A is a detailed perspective view of a screening device employed inthe drainage system shown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 3 is a perspective cross-sectional view taken at 3-3 of FIG. 1 andillustrates a side groove liner in accord with this invention.

FIG. 4 is a vertical cross-section at 4;-4 of FIG. 1 and illustrates thetop seal in accord with this invention.

FIG. 5 is a view similar to FlG. 4 and shows the man* ner in which thetop seal engages the upper edge of the window pane,

FIG. 6 is a horizontal cross-section along the line 6 6 of FlG. l and,

FTG. 7 is a view similar to FIG. 6 but showing the window in the openposition.

Referring to FIG. l, the sashless window in accord with this inventionessentially consists of a pair of window panes 16 and 11 held in awindow frame having a sill 12, a head piece 13, and a pair of verticallyextending jambs 14 and 15. Window pane 11 is capable of .horizontalsliding movement relative to the substantially iixed pane 1t). Referencenumeral 16 generally indicates a locking mechanism for holding thesliding pane 1l against movement, 17 indicates a spring device forrestraining the sliding pane against rattling by the wind, and 18indicates a handle device for moving the sliding pane 11 back and forth.

Referring to FIG. 2, sill 12 is preferably made of wood as is usual inthis type of window. The other components of the window frame i.e. thejambs 14 and 15 and the top piece 13 are also made of wood. However, itis understood that this invention is not to be restricted to the use ofwood for the window frame. Fixed to the upper surface of sill 12 are apair o-f base tracks 20 and 21. Two such base tracks are shown so as toillustrate ythe manner in which the window construction in accord withthis invention may be readily adapted to form double windows. Whereweather conditions permit, a single window may sufice so that only onebase track is used. ln the latter case a narrower sill could be employedif so desired.

Base tracks 2t! and 21 are advantageously formed of a suitable plasticor the like by extrusion, and in the illustrated case a rigid vinylmaterial is used. Base track 2t) has a lirst track portion 22 `forsupporting the sliding pane 11 and a second track portion 23 foraccommodating the tixed pane 16. In FIG. 2 the lixed pane 10t is notshown but it will be understood that the iixed pane rests in trackportion 23 in the left hand part thereof as viewed in FIG. 1. That partof track portion 23 which does not hold fixed pane 10 i.e. the partshown in FIG. 2 carries a wiperlike strip seal 24. Seal 24 is curvedupwardly and towards sliding pane 11 and is therefore normally biasedthereagainst as to form a tight seal therewith. Strip seal 24 ispreferably formed by extrusion of a resilient material such as lexiblevinyl plastic. Along its bottom edge, strip seal 24 carries a key-likelocking ridge 25 removably enga-ged in a keying slot 26 formed in thebottom of track portion 23. Track portion 23, therefore, serves tosupport xed pane l along approximately one half its length and serves tohold the strip seal 2d along the other half of its length. lt will beunderstood, of course, that keying slot Ze actually extends over thefull length of track portion 23 since track 2t) is an extruded member. Asecond keying slot 28 carries a second strip seal (not illustrated) forsealing the lower edge of iixed pane lil. Keying slot 2S extends overthe full width of the window but only that part thereof which isadjacent pane lil will be used to hold a strip seal.

One of the `chief advantages of the base track above described is itsadaptability to window frames of any width. The base track may be cut toany length and still be capable of receiving and retaining strip sealfor any size panes of glass. As can be seen in FIG. 2 the base tracksare xed to the window sill by screws Sil. The screws are passed throughthe bottom walls of the hollow rectangular portions 3l and 3llA of thebase tracks. The purpose of the latter members is explained hereinafter.

ln the double window arrangement shown in FlG. 2, as in all doublewindow units, there is some danger of water collecting on the outer basetrack should the outer sliding pane 1.1 be left open during arainstorrn. To provide means whereby this rain water may be drained fromthe outer base track, the latter is provided with a number of verticaldrainholes 32 in the bottom of track portion 22A. `Beneath track portion22A, sill l2 is provided with a `groove 33 and a lnumber of slopeddrainholes 34 are drilled through the sill from groove 33 to the outsideof the window trame. Water collected in track portion 22A will thenydrain through holes 32 into groove 33 and out the sloped drainholes 34.To prevent insects and the like getting into groove 33 throughdrainholes 34 the latter are provided with screening devices 35, shownin detail in FIG. 2A. These screening devices are preferably rnolded ofa suitable plastic or the like and resemble grommets having a transversewall 36 which is perforated to allow the egress of water from grooves33` while preventing the ingress of insects.

Referring still to FIG. 2, the locking device 16 will now be described.This unit consists of a rst arm 40 which is pivotally attached to thesliding pane lll by means of any appropriate mechanism. ln theillustrated case, sliding pane lli is `drilled whereby to permit a boltor screw 41 to be pass-ed therethrough for engagement with the nut andwasher unit 42. A washer or spacer 43 and a spring (not shown) aremounted on bolt 41 between the locking unit and the pane ll for apurpose which is explained below. Piovtally attached -to arrn 4i) is asecond arm 44 carrying a projection 45 at its r,tree end. At the freeend of arm `4t) there is provided an aperture or recess 46 capable ofreceiving projection 45. The inside vertica-l wall of member 3l of basetrack 20l is also apertured at 47 whereby to permit projection 45 to bepassed therethrough into engagement in the aperture or recess 46. Thetop wall of member 3l is slotted at 48 to permit aum lil to be swungdownwardly therethrough so as to orient projection 4S opposite aperture47. When it is ydesired to lock sliding pane 1l after it has been movedto the closed position, arm 44 is lifted upwardly so as to permit arm 40to be swung downwardly through slot 48. Arm 44 is then pushed inwardlyas to pass projection 45 through aperture 47 into engagement in therecess or aperture 46 at the :tree end of arm 40'. Sliding pane lll isthen solidly locked and is incapable of displacement from the outside ofthe window. Of course, it ywill be realized that the same locking actioncan be achieved without employing the member 3l of base track byproviding a suitable member xed to the base track or the sill forengaging projection 45 prior to its insertion in aperture or recess 46.However, the illustrated arrangement is preferable since it is notnecessary to provide an extra piece of hardware. The aperture 47 and theslot 43 may be cut in the base track at any desired position, it onlylbeing necessary to insure that these members are appropriately locatedto receive the locking element carried by the sliding pane ll. As afurther feature, arm itl is provided with a ridge 56 having a slopedsurface 5l so that the action orf passing arm 40 through slot 48 willcause a Wedging action between surface 51 and the top edge of slot 48 soas to urge sliding pane 11 tightly against strip seal 24. The springwhich is mounted on bolt di emphasizes this wedging action. This wedgingfeature furti er guarantees a tight seal between the sliding pane andthe base track. ln the case wherein member 3l is replaced by a separatelocking unit fixed to the sill or the -base track the separate lockingunit is also provided with a wedging surface equivalent to the edge ofslot 413 whereby to achieve the desired forcing of sliding ypane 1lagainst strip seal 24. Further, when a separate locking unit is used itmay not be necessary to pivotally mount arm 4? to the sliding pane sincethe eliminat-ion of member 3l will allow arm 4t) to be permanently fixedin a mounted position in which case the wedging action between arm 4dand the wedging surface of the separate locking unit will take placeautomatically as sliding pane lll is closed. It will, of course, stillbe necessary to swing arm 44 outwardly before closing pane 1l.

As is usual in sashless window constructions, the vertical side jambs 14and l5 are provided with vertical grooves for the reception of the sideedges of both the xed and sliding panes. Referring now to FIG. 3, thegrooves in the vertical jambs in accord with this invention are providedwith groove liners 5d. FlG. 3 illustrates only jamb 14 holding the sideedge of the fixed pane llt) but it will be understood that jamb l5 whichreceives the side edge of sliding pane l1 will also be provided with asimilar groove liner which will now be described. Groove liner 5d isalso preferably formed by extrusion :of a suitable material such asvinyl plastic of moderae hardness. It is shaped in cross-section so asto `line the groove in the vertical jamb, preferably in such a mannerthat it is locked therein. The groove liner Sil is essentially U-shapedin a cross-section having a pair of spaced walls 51 and 52 connected bya web portion 53. One of the walls 51 is slanted inwardly towards theother wall and is capable of iexing so that the two walls grip the paneof glass l@ between them. By this action the groove liners not only sealtre side edges of the glass panes but also prevent rattling due tooutside vibrations and wind. To assist the entry of the sliding pane, inparticular, into its groove liner the wall 52 carries a bead-like rim 54at its free edge. In both groove liners, wall 51 is longer than theother wall and is bent so that the extended wall 5l of the liner holdingthe ixed pane will project into the path of movement of sliding pane il.The extended portion of wall 5l thus acts as a damper or a fender tocatch the side edge of sliding pane lll when the latter is moved to itsfully open position. This damping action is particularly importantshould the sliding pane il be moved rather violently to the openposition and insures that neither the sliding pane itself or thevertical jamb 14 will be damaged. The groove liner engaged in the groovein vertical jamb 15 is similar in all respects to the groove liner justdescribed although in this instance the extended portion of wall 5lserves primarily to help guide the sliding pane into the groove linerrather than as a damper means.

Referring now to FIGS. 4, 5, 6 and 7 and particularly to the latter twoigures, the head piece 313 of the window frame is groovecl to receivethe upper edges of both the iixed and sliding panes. The left hand sideof the groove 60 (as viewed in FlGURES 6 and 7) is of double width so asto accommodate both the fixed and sliding panes. On the right hand sidegroove 6i) is of a width to accommodate the sliding pane only. Fixed toone wall of groove 6d and extending along both its double width portionand its single width portion is a top seal 6l.

The purpose of the top seal is to permit movement o sliding pane 1,1while at the same time maintaining a tight seal between both panes andthe window ltraine. Top seal 51 is also preferably formed by extrusionof a tlexible material such as soft vinyl plastic. It is essentiallytubular in cross-section but it is readily deformable as can be seen inFlG. 5. Formed integrally on one side of the tubular element is ananchoring ridge 62 which is so shaped as to be received and retained ina secondary groove 63 in the side wall of groove 60. In view of theflexibility of top seal 61 it is possible to use a single unit forlining both the double thickness and single thickness parts of groove(i0l by simply passing the top seal around the corner formed at thejunction of these two parts.

-I-t will be noted that each and every component of the window in accordwith this invention including the base track, the side groove liners andthe top seal are adaptable to window frames of any size. Thesecomponents are all extruded members which are supplied in long lengthswhich may be cut to -tit the window frame being constructed and willsatisfactorily perform their functions without any further special ttingor adjustment.

What I claim as my invention is:

1. In a sashless window halving a pair of window panes, a frame dening acentral opening and having a sill, a head-piece and a pair 0f verticallyextending jambs, one of said panes being supported in said frame forhorizontal sliding movement from a closed position closing said centraliopening -to an open position partially opening said central opening;means for locking said sliding pane in said closed position, saidlocking means comprising a rst lock element carried by said sliding paneand a second lock element carried on said sill, said rst lock elementcomprising a first arm attached to said sliding pane at one end andhaving a projection receiving recess adjacent its other end, a secondarm pivotally attached at one end to said rst arm for pivotal movementin a plane substantially at right angles to said sliding pane, saidsecond arm carrying a projection adjacent `its other end for engaging insaid recess in said rst arm; said second lock element comprising meansfor engaging said projection whereby said sliding pane may be locked insaid closed position by moving said iirst arm into a position betweensaid second lock ele-ment and said sliding pane, and by pivoting saidsecond arm inwardly towards said sliding pane as to pass said projectioninto engagement with said projection engaging means carried by saidsecond lock element and then into the projection receiving recess insaid rst arm.

2. A sashless Window as claimed in claim l in which said rst arm ispivotally attached to said sliding pane for pivotable movement in aplane parallel to said sliding pane.

3. A sashless window as claimed in claim 2 in which said second lockingmeans includes `a tirst wedging surface extending substantially parallelto said sliding pane, said first larm having a second Wedging sunfaceadapted to abut against said first wedging surface 'when said rst arm ismoved into position between said second locking means and said slidingpane whereby said sliding pane is wedged tightly against a strip seal onthe opposite side of said sliding pane to said locking means when saidsliding pane is moved into its closed position.

`4. A sashless window as claimed in claim 3 including 'a base trackmeans on said sill for supporting said panes, said base track meansincluding a lhorizontal Iwall spaced from the above said sill and alvertical Wall, both said walls being located on the inner side of saidwindow, an aperture in said |vertical wall providing said means forengaging said projection, and a slot in said horizontal Wall, one edgeof said slot providing said rst Wedging surface.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS2,701,162 Kliger Feb. 1, 1955 2,733,487 Hauck Feb. 7, 1956 2,770,487AIsbell Nov. 13, 1956 2,787,034 Hauck Apr. 2, 1957 '2,792,246 Sisson May14, 1957 2,919,748 Sehn et al. lan. 5, 1960 2,933,784 Hooverson Apr. 26,1960 12,961,266 Alllgren Nov. 22, 1960 3,017,212 Migneault et al. Jan.16, 1962

1. IN A SASHLESS WINDOW HAVING A PAIR OF WINDOW PANES, A FRAME DEFININGA CENTRAL OPENING AND HAVING A SILL, A HEAD-PIECE AND A PAIR OFVERTICALLY EXTENDING JAMBS, ONE OF SAID PANES BEING SUPPORTED IN SAIDFRAME FOR HORIZONTAL SLIDING MOVEMENT FROM A CLOSED POSITION CLOSINGSAID CENTRAL OPENING TO AN OPEN POSITION PARTIALLY OPENING SAID CENTRALOPENING; MEANS FOR LOCKING SAID SLIDING PANE IN SAID CLOSED POSITION,SAID LOCKING MEANS COMPRISING A FIRST LOCK ELEMENT CARRIED BY SAIDSLIDING PANE AND A SECOND LOCK ELEMENT CARRIED ON SAID SILL, SAID FIRSTLOCK ELEMENT COMPRISING A FIRST ARM ATTACHED TO SAID SLIDING PANE AT ONEEND AND HAVING A PROJECTION RECEIVING RECESS ADJACENT ITS OTHER END, ASECOND ARM PIVOTALLY ATTACHED AT ONE END TO SAID FIRST ARM FOR PIVOTALMOVEMENT IN A PLANE SUBSTANTIALLY AT RIGHT ANGLES TO SAID SLIDING PANE,SAID SECOND ARM CARRYING A PROJECTION ADJACENT ITS OTHER END FORENGAGING IN SAID RECESS IN SAID FIRST ARM; SAID SECOND LOCK ELEMENTCOMPRISING MEANS FOR ENGAGING SAID PROJECTION WHEREBY SAID SLIDING PANEMAY BE LOCKED IN SAID CLOSED